Who’s News November 2009

The Club web site at www.melbsportsbike.net.au accumulated 702 hits during November, down 154 on last month. Total visits are 55,995 since April 1996. The counters on the other pages after another month indicate that the 2009 Calendar page took 624 hits (total 6629 since 28^th October 2008) and Great Roads totals 127 hits (total 2128).

Seen at the General Meeting, Marks Place on Thursday 5^th November: Julie and Ben Warden, Trevor and Barbara Rolfe Harris, Kate Stewart and John Rousseaux, Ron Johnston, Craig Morley, Dave Ward, Peter Philferan, Tony Stegmar, Jacinta Thomas, Ha Du, and Ian Payne. 14 people, down 10 from the previous month. It seems that no reminder email has a direct bearing on attendance.

The Club Participant of the Year is based on aggregate points accumulated at 1 point per ride, an extra point for leading or being rear rider, and 1 point per magazine article (maximum 2 per magazine). Attending one or more days of a weekend event scores 3 points for leading, 3 for rear riding duties and 2 points for participating.

The count is for the 2009/10 year ending the ride before the 2010 AGM in July. After five months, the top ten count is Ha Du (45), Ben Warden (42), Pina Garasi (33), Ron Johnston (30), Dave Ward (29), Ian Payne (27), Paul Southwell (26), Dennis Lindemann (23), Cliff Peters (23), and Tony Stegmar (21.5). Another big month for Ha with 9 points sees her stay a point ahead of Ben. Pina remains third. Ron moves up a another place and with Dennis away and Paul back, Paul rose another place. Misho and Cameron dropped off the count while Tony made hay while the sun shone. He is walking now.

Front Cover: Picture taken on Tuesday 3^rd November at 9.28 am near the Falls Creek Lake, 4 km into the new Falls Creek to Omeo Road, Melbourne Cup Epic. It was very cold and windy, whitecaps on the lake. Back Row: Ron Johnston, Cliff Peters, Ha Du, Dennis Lindemann, Rob Jones (helmet), Paul Southwell, Peter Jones, Ian Payne, Dave Ward (helmet). Front row: Ross Gellatly, Ben Fuller, John Rousseaux, Pina Garasi, and Misho Zrakic. Ben Warden behind the lens.

Ken Goederee has been seen riding a Ducati 999. He traded his CBR1000. It was love at first sight. Similarly, Peter Jones has sold his CBR1000, sticking with his Yamaha R1 for now.

Welcome to new member Duane Rafferty riding a Suzuki GSXR1000. He slots right in, keen as mustard, joined on his third ride. And he commutes form Maryborough to meet up with the group. That explains his one ride a month average. We wish him good fortune and safe riding for many years.

Email form Henry Wright: Mai and I got married on the weekend! It was a great day, managing to avoid the weather in time to get our photos done. We had a very nice 1950 Jaguar Mk5, which was a revelation to ride in. It’s amazing how far cars have come in 60 years. We were all inside for the ceremony and reception when it bucketed down. Sails on the Bay was a great venue; quite helpful. Even handing out earplugs to the older generation when the band got cranking later on. There was some quite interesting dancing! Yes I am suffering withdrawal symptoms at the moment. There is so much to do leading up to a wedding there was no time to get out on the bike. Will try and make it to the BBQ this Sat for a bit but have a commitment in the arvo. Then we are off to Thailand until Jan 6^th.